The northern edge of the Jin Clan training grounds stretched wide, a meticulously maintained courtyard flanked by high walls and watchtowers. From above, Alaric crouched on a crumbled archway, surveying the thirty nominal elders below. Each radiated formidable Sacred Lord Qi, some with lower-tier cultivators aiding them. Alaric's dual-path cultivation—the peak Sacred Lord for Qi and the peak Cosmos Lord for mana—gave him an overwhelming presence, yet he knew he couldn't afford any misstep.
Behind him, the squad prepared. They would not engage directly; their strength wasn't sufficient to face the nominal elders. Instead, Yue Rong and Liang Chen coordinated the deployment of talismans and traps, ensuring every possible advantage would be in Alaric's favor. Candles imbued with immobilizing mana, earth spikes primed to erupt, and barriers designed to slow attacks were set in strategic positions throughout the courtyard.
Alaric exhaled slowly, feeling the flow of both Qi and mana synchronize. The Phantom Emperor's mana pulsed through him, Earth and Flame magic coursing in tandem. Every fiber of his being was alert, ready for the first strike.
The nominal elders advanced, unaware of the invisible threats around them. Alaric leapt from the archway, his sword blazing with Flame magic while the ground beneath him trembled with Earth energy. One elder lunged with a Qi-infused spear, but a hidden talisman released a shockwave that threw him off balance. Alaric landed and swept his sword in a wide arc, sending another elder staggering backward as flames licked their armor.
The courtyard erupted in chaos. Spikes from the ground erupted under the feet of several elders, while immobilizing talismans prevented a few from retreating or coordinating attacks. Alaric moved like a storm, his Phantom Strike allowing him to vanish and reappear, cutting through defenses with precise, devastating strikes.
Three elders attempted to flank him, sending twin Qi waves that collided with his Earth barrier. The force cracked nearby cobblestones, but Alaric remained steady, unleashing a surge of Flame magic to disrupt their formation. Another elder tried to intercept him mid-strike, only to be pinned by a talisman-empowered earth pillar, leaving him completely vulnerable.
Sweat ran down Alaric's face, his breaths sharp but controlled. Every strike counted. Every step was calculated to maximize damage and minimize exposure. Though the squad could not fight directly, their contribution was crucial. Talismans immobilized key threats, mana traps staggered the strongest adversaries, and coordinated timing allowed Alaric to pick off elders one by one without being overwhelmed.
Finally, with a single thought, Alaric drew upon both paths of his cultivation. Flame and Earth surged through his sword as he descended upon the last remaining nominal elder in a blinding arc. Mana pulsed violently through the courtyard, the combined might of elemental magic and dual-path cultivation overwhelming the last adversary. Dust and sparks clouded the battlefield; when the air cleared, the courtyard lay quiet.
Alaric's chest heaved as he scanned the field. Every nominal elder was incapacitated. No squad member had directly engaged, yet their talisman work had been instrumental, tipping the balance and ensuring no casualties. Yue Rong and Liang Chen immediately moved to secure the fallen elders, gathering their Qi cores and ensuring the battlefield was safe.
Alaric's gaze lingered for a moment on the rising sun, its light cutting through the shadows of the courtyard. The first wave of the mission had succeeded. The nominal elders had been neutralized with precision, his squad had performed admirably in their support roles, and the Jin Clan's defenses had been tested without alerting the higher-level members.
"Excellent work," Alaric said, his voice calm but authoritative. "Prepare to exfiltrate. We move before reinforcements arrive."
The squad nodded, quickly organizing the collected loot—Qi-infused artifacts, talismans, and weapons. The brothers and the team vanished into the shadows, leaving the Jin Clan with no trace of their presence, save for the incapacitated nominal elders.
Alaric felt the pulse of his dual-path cultivation, the Phantom Emperor's mana still humming in his veins. This was only the beginning, but the battle had proven one thing: with strategy, talent, and precise use of support, even the most formidable enemies could be dismantled without unnecessary risk.